Broadband boost for county

Michael Broomhead

Thousands of residents and businesses are set to benefit from superfast broadband after a multi-million pound project launched.

The first green cabinet has now gone live at Markham Vale Enterprise Zone as part of a £27million scheme to make superfast broadband available to 95 per cent of homes and businesses across Derbyshire by 2016.

By the end of June, more than 2,000 businesses and residents in parts of Bolsover, Alfreton, Tibshelf and Holmewood will be able to access superfast broadband when phase one of the project is complete.

Councillor Joan Dixon, cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport at Derbyshire County Council, which is spearheading the Digital Derbyshire scheme alongside BT, hailed the “great” news.

She said: “This investment in superfast broadband will open up endless business and leisure opportunities and will help to boost our rural areas, support economic growth and allow local communities to continue to thrive.

“Whether it’s for business, shopping, learning or socialising, the internet is such a huge part of daily life for many of us and that will only grow in the future. That’s why we’ve been driving this project forward to boost the local economy by closing the digital divide.”